Yonex Badminton Strings Comparison
Your badminton strings are the final point of contact between your racquet and the shuttle. The right setup can make fast drives feel livelier, improve your sense of control and reduce how often you need to restring. But there is no single best string for every player.
This guide compares 14 popular Yonex strings using their published diameters and manufacturer positioning, then explains the trade-offs in plain language so you can choose with confidence.
Choose Your String in 30 Seconds
Start with the performance characteristic that matters most to your game.
EXBOLT 63
Sharp, lively response for rapid drives and flat exchanges.
AEROBITE
Hybrid construction for shuttle hold, cuts and net play.
BG65
The classic practical option for frequent club play.
EXBOLT 65
Quick response with added shuttle hold for all-round play.
Complete Yonex String Comparison
All 14 models in one table. Swipe horizontally on mobile to view every column.
| STRING MODEL | GAUGE | YONEX CATEGORY | HITTING FEEL* | GOOD STARTING POINT FOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BG65 | 0.70 mm | Durability | Comfortable, dependable | Everyday club play |
| BG65 Titanium | 0.70 mm | Durability | Sharp yet comfortable | Durability + firm feel |
| BG66 Ultimax | 0.65 mm | Quick Repulsion | Crisp and lively | Fast doubles |
| BG80 | 0.68 mm | Quick Repulsion | Firm, textured | Direct attacking feel |
| BG80 Power | 0.68 mm | Quick Repulsion | Solid, powerful | Smashes and hard hitting |
| EXBOLT 63 | 0.63 mm | Quick Repulsion | Very lively | Rapid drives + sharp sound |
| EXBOLT 65 | 0.65 mm | Quick Repulsion | Lively with hold | Versatile competitive play |
| EXBOLT 68 | 0.68 mm | Durability | Solid, controlled | Power + string life |
| AEROBITE | 0.67 / 0.61 mm | Control | Grippy, precise | Net play, slices and drops |
| AEROBITE BOOST | 0.72 / 0.61 mm | Control | Firm, substantial | Attacking control |
| AEROSONIC | 0.61 mm | Quick Repulsion | Ultra-crisp | Repulsion + sound |
| NANOGY 95 | 0.69 mm | Durability | Solid, responsive | Frequent club play |
| NANOGY 98 | 0.66 mm | Quick Repulsion | Crisp, quick | Fast all-round play |
| SKYARC | 0.69 mm | Control | Soft, forgiving | Comfortable deep clears |
*Hitting feel is qualitative buying guidance, not an official numerical score. Two strings with the same diameter can behave differently because of materials, coatings and construction. Yonex categories shown above follow its published string selector.
Lively response and fast shuttle release.
Shuttle hold, placement and shot confidence.
Resistance to wear and string breakage.
String Thickness Visual Guide
Gauge is the diameter of the string. Smaller numbers mean thinner strings, but do not necessarily mean better performance.
Scale shown: 0.60 mm (left) to 0.72 mm (right). Hybrid strings show both main and cross diameters.
Blue markers: main/single string gauge. Amber markers: hybrid cross-string gauge. This is a diameter chart, not a power or durability rating.
General trade-off: thinner strings often feel more lively but can be more vulnerable to breakage. Thicker strings commonly appeal to durability-focused players. Material, texture, tension and playing technique can change this relationship.
Meet the Strings: Model-by-Model Guide
A concise explanation of how each string is positioned and what type of player might enjoy it.
BG SERIES
The classics: from all-round durability to firm attacking feel.
BG65
Best for: Everyday club play
Classic durability-focused nylon construction. A practical choice when longer string life and comfort are priorities.
BG65 Titanium
Best for: Durability + firm feel
Compound Titanium Hydride coating adds a distinctive impact sensation while retaining a durability focus.
BG66 Ultimax
Best for: Fast doubles
A lively 0.65 mm choice for quick drives, defensive returns and a sharp impact sound.
BG80
Best for: Direct attacking feel
Vectran-containing core and textured construction appeal to players who prefer firm, responsive feedback.
BG80 Power
Best for: Smashes and hard hitting
Vectran-containing core designed for a solid impact sensation and powerful attacking strokes.
EXBOLT SERIES
Three distinct approaches: quick response, versatile hold, and power with durability.
EXBOLT 63
Best for: Rapid drives + sharp sound
FORGED FIBER string with a thin gauge, developed for fast repulsion and dynamic impact sound.
EXBOLT 65
Best for: Versatile competitive play
FORGED FIBER plus Elasticity Outer coating combines quick response with enhanced shuttle hold.
EXBOLT 68
Best for: Power + string life
Oval FORGED FIBER and Elasticity Outer combine a power-oriented design with durability.
CONTROL & HYBRID
Specialised constructions for shuttle hold, spin and comfort.
AEROBITE
Best for: Net play, slices and drops
Hybrid mains and crosses, with polyurethane-coated mains for greater shuttle hold and spin.
AEROBITE BOOST
Best for: Attacking control
Hybrid string with thicker Vectran-containing mains for a solid attacking feel and sharp spin.
SKYARC
Best for: Comfortable deep clears
Hi-sling Fiber design focuses on comfortable response and high-clear performance.
ADDITIONAL SPEED & DURABILITY
Ultrathin speed and the NANOGY alternatives.
AEROSONIC
Best for: Repulsion + sound
An exceptionally thin string developed for high repulsion and a sharp, powerful impact sound.
NANOGY 95
Best for: Frequent club play
A 0.69 mm durability-oriented string with CUP-STACK CARBON NANOTUBE coating.
NANOGY 98
Best for: Fast all-round play
A thinner NANOGY option oriented toward quick repulsion and lively response.
Head-to-Head: The Comparisons Customers Ask Most
If you have narrowed your options down to two or three strings, these are the differences that matter.
EXBOLT 63 vs 65 vs 68
63 = fastest, sharpest response emphasis. 65 = quick repulsion with improved shuttle hold. 68 = more power- and durability-oriented construction.
OUR TAKE: Choose 63 for a lively speed setup; 65 for versatile all-round performance; 68 if frequent hard hitting and longevity matter.
BG80 vs BG80 Power
Both use 0.68 mm gauges and Vectran-containing cores. BG80 has a textured, hard-hitting character; BG80 Power is designed for a solid, powerful smash feel.
OUR TAKE: Try BG80 for firm, direct feedback. Try BG80 Power if you want a more substantial power-focused impact sensation.
BG65 vs BG66 Ultimax
BG65 is a thicker 0.70 mm durability-focused classic; BG66 Ultimax is a thinner 0.65 mm quick-repulsion string.
OUR TAKE: Choose BG65 for everyday durability or BG66 Ultimax for a livelier, crisper response.
AEROBITE vs AEROBITE BOOST
Both are hybrids with 0.61 mm crosses. AEROBITE uses 0.67 mm mains; BOOST uses thicker 0.72 mm Vectran-containing mains.
OUR TAKE: Try AEROBITE for technical spin and touch, or BOOST for a more substantial attacking-control feel.
String Tension: Why It Matters as Much as the String
Changing tension can alter feel, comfort, consistency and how forgiving the racquet is.
20–23 lbs
Often a practical starting range for beginners and recreational players seeking a forgiving string bed.
23–26 lbs
A common starting range for club players seeking a balance of response, control and comfort.
26–30+ lbs
Can suit experienced players with consistent clean contact; not a requirement for advanced skill.
When comparing two strings, use the same racquet and similar tension if possible. Otherwise it can be difficult to tell whether the difference comes from the string or the string bed itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the most common restringing questions.
What is the best Yonex string for beginners?
BG65 is a sensible durability-focused starting point. A suitable tension and comfortable feel are more important than buying the most expensive string.
Which Yonex string is best for powerful smashes?
BG80, BG80 Power and EXBOLT 68 are worth considering. The result depends on your technique, string tension and how well the string matches your swing.
Which Yonex string has the quickest repulsion?
EXBOLT 63, BG66 Ultimax and AEROSONIC are strong options for players who enjoy sharp, lively response.
Which Yonex string is most durable?
BG65 and EXBOLT 68 are excellent starting points. Actual lifespan changes with tension, mishits, usage and string movement.
What is the difference between EXBOLT 63 and EXBOLT 65?
EXBOLT 63 emphasises thin-gauge quick repulsion and sound; EXBOLT 65 adds Elasticity Outer for additional shuttle hold and control.
What does the hybrid gauge on AEROBITE mean?
The mains and crosses use different string diameters: AEROBITE 0.67/0.61 mm, AEROBITE BOOST 0.72/0.61 mm. Their construction is intentional.
Does higher string tension make me hit harder?
Not automatically. A firmer bed can reward excellent timing, but excessively high tension can make power more difficult for some players and increase the risk of string or racquet damage.
The best string is the one that suits your game.
READY FOR YOUR NEXT RESTRING?
Explore our badminton restringing service and select a Yonex string that matches your technique, playing style and preferred hitting feel.
TRY IT. FEEL IT. FIND YOUR PERFECT MATCH.
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